McCarthy talks about win over the Eagles

By Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel

Published on: 9/13/2010

From Coach Mike McCarthy's day-after press conference:

DE Justin Harrell will be placed on Injured Reserve with an ACL and is lost for the entire season. "Justin has had a tough go from a medical standpoint. I've seen players in this league have injuries in bunches and they're able to overcome them and go on and have a good career. Justin falls in to that category."

Starting RB Ryan Grant has been ruled out of the Buffalo game with the ankle injury, which McCarthy described as serious. More tests are being conducted. "Well, it’s a significant injury to the ankle and the ligament involved in the ankle, which has now required more testing, and we’ll continue to process all the information throughout the day." He doesn't yet know if the injury will require surgery.

McCarthy said he will not make a decision about a potential roster move at the running back position -- like possibly promoting James Johnson from the practice squad -- until he knows the full scope of Grant's injury.

DE Cullen Jenkins will continue to play with the cast on the injured wrist.

A ton of injuries in the game, including the to the Eagles', but the field and turf was in great shape and not an issue said McCarthy.

Won't know about DE Mike Neal and his availability until Wednesday. "With his injury, the type of injury, the ability to torque another player is a little bit of the last hurdle that he has to get over, and he’s not quite there yet," said McCarthy.

McCarthy liked the overall play of his special teams units.

Sam Shields was "solid" in the nickel -- McCarthy added Morgan Burnett as well, saying they played a little tentative at times.

Backup running back Brandon Jackson carried the load against the Eagles, so he could do it again if need be, this Sunday, playing all downs, etc. "He broke a lot of tackles." McCarthy said four explosive runs was oustanding.

QB Aaron Rodgers played too fast to start the game and missed some throws early. Was hard on himself. "Really when it comes down to quarterback performance, usually when they don’t feel good about it, they missed a couple of throws that they wish they had back. I thought he played a little too fast at the beginning of the game and he missed some throws that he always makes. There were some decisions once he sees the tape and we have a chance to talk about it, I’m sure he’ll feel the same in the decision category."

NT B.J. Raji played more snaps than ever before, between 50 and 60, amd did well, especially against the most mobile quarterback McCarthy has ever seen in Michael Vick.